News Release 245

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JULY 13, 2011 – Grand Glaize Beach at Lake of the Ozarks State Park reopened today after water samples taken Monday showed continued bacteria levels well below the department’s acceptable levels for state park beaches.

The beach, also known as Public Beach #2, reopened after bacteria levels were found to be significantly below the department’s standard for swimming beaches for the second consecutive week. These results helped to bring down the overall geometric mean for bacteria to within the department’s standard for state park beaches.

Missouri State Parks officials closed the beach at Trail of Tears State Park today after water samples taken Monday showed bacteria levels in excess of the department’s standard.

The water at all designated beaches in the state park system is sampled weekly during the recreational season by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to determine suitability for swimming. Water quality can be determined to be unsuitable for swimming based on either the single sample taken earlier in the week, or by the geometric mean, which is a mathematical value that takes into consideration results from the current week plus the results taken during the previous weeks.

The sample test results indicate a snap shot of the water quality taken at the beaches at a specific time; however, a single sample does not provide an overall sense of the water quality in the lake where the beach is located. Water samples are taken to check for E. coli, a common indicator species for bacteria.

Higher bacteria levels are often associated with heavy rains that result in runoff from adjacent lands. However, there are a number of possibilities that can contribute to higher bacteria, and chances are no single source is the cause.

Once tests indicate the bacteria levels are within the standard suitable for swimming, the beaches will reopen. Information about current status of beaches is available on the website at mostateparks.com. Signs indicating the status of the beaches are posted at the beaches as well.

Beaches and other facilities at state parks may be unavailable for reasons unrelated to bacteria. Such as Lewis and Clark State Park, including its beach, is closed because of high water. Missouri State Parks maintains a list of alerts and advisories at mostateparks.com.

Missouri's state parks and historic sites offer something to suit everyone's taste - outdoor adventure, great scenery and a bit of history. With Missouri’s 85 state parks and historic sites, the possibilities are boundless.

For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites and swimming beaches, visit mostateparks.com.